Search scope is too small and search results pages need context for both DReps and GAs

[m-i-k-e]

Problem:

1. Search results have no context - currently a search just returns the same DRep or GA list of 'cards' and the user cannot tell if their search has worked, or not. Also, we are searching metadata, and there are differing fields of metadata, of which the context is important.

The reason we have this issue is that the search was designed before we had metadata in GovTool. It was only made to handle the drep name and ID.I know everyone is familiar with a DRep metadata, See screenshot of DRep detail page for all the fields on it.

For DReps: he fields that we should search:

• Drep name
• DRep ID
• Objectives
• Motivations
• Qualifications

Maybe also:

• Links
• Identity

The same problem is found in our Governance Actions search: The fields we should search:

• GA Type

• Title

• Abstract

• Motivation

• Rationale

Maybe also:

• Receiving address
• Supporting links

It would be much more informative if we provide more and better context for search results, and that would mean telling users where we found their search term.I've made a quick wireframe of this, and attached it below.

Drep fields on detail page:

GA fields on detail page:

Wireframe solution:

[m-i-k-e]

Keep in mind that there is a new and improved search function for entering search. This is being built into the new design system - we have currently completed wireframes. This is a big improvement on functionality and will work very well in tandem with the updates results tables.

This search is in the wireframe above already. Just note: It's not in GovTool yet.

[m-i-k-e]

A user story:

As any user of GovTool, I want to be able to search for all relevant information on DReps and GAs that I could browse to in GovTool. I want to see this information in a context that I can understand on the search results so I can make an informed decision on my actions.

[jdyczka]

I really like the design, looks great and very transparent to the user.

On the technical side, it would require a some time (more than a day, I would say) to implement, especially the logic of selecting the relevant excerpt (I assume that if the text e.g. motivations is long then we should only show fragments?) and highlighting words.

[spannercode]

As an alternative thought, on DRep directory, as a user if I'm searching something on DRep directory page, it is likely that I'm trying to find some specific DRep instead of looking for DRep who has certain keywords on their metadata. (My assumption could be wrong). From that perspective, I would like to see the potential matches already as a dropdown and select the DRep of my choice from the dropdown and directly go to the DRep details page.

Here is a live site on preview network to try out the search: https://preview.drep.id/